4th Grade Weaving

Here is a how-to video with tips/tricks/instructions!

 

Emoji Stuffies w/ Painted Faces

My 5th graders are creating Emoji Stuffies!  In the past I've done "ugly dolls" & "shape monsters" for sewing projects with my 4th graders.  We now have 5th grade in elementary, and I decided to move the sewing up to be one of their projects.  I am using Smart-Fab's pre-cut circles.  I purchased them through BLICK(I believe they come in a pack of 100).  They are a great manageable size for students that have no background in sewing.  Doing too large of a project can become extremely overwhelming.  Some of my classes are finding great success...and some are struggling a bit.  The struggle is worth it...I feel sewing is a life skill kids need!  Here are some of the finished results.  They used Sharpie & acrylic paint to create the faces.

 

WEAVING: Specialty String

 While doing tapestry type weavings with 4th grade, I have students use five colors within their "color story".  After adding their five colors, they are allowed to add a "specialty string" into the mix.  They are allowed to use it 3x within their weaving.  I tell them if you use it more...it isn't really "special".  

What is specialty string?  I have a pretty big variety that I've obtained over the years. I found some of it at Dollar Tree & Big Lots for a very good price.  I found some of it in the clearance section at craft stores.  I Keep my eyes open for things that are fun/different, and that I think my students could successfully weave.  Let me give you all a tip...DO NOT GET POM POM YARN!!!!!  Imagine a bunch of little pom-poms going through the warp strings!! UGH!  Trust me...it is a headache and totally not worth it.  Here is a look at the top of my specialty string box, and some weaving examples from years past (we aren't to that point yet this year...just started them!). 

3rd & 5th Grade Weaving Projects

We are wrapping up weaving in 3rd & 5th grade.  3rd grade is doing circle weaving (one of my favorite projects of the year!).  5th grade is doing a tree weaving (which is a basic back & forth AB pattern, but done on a warp in a wedge shape).   

When finishing circle weavings, I have my students create a pattern/design on the white surface of their loom, and color it using markers that match their yarn colors.  

For the tree weavings, I had my 5th graders add beads for fruit(added as they were weaving..limit 10 beads), and then use tempera paint sticks to do a simple landscape background.  

There are many ways to do these projects.  These are the ways I do them, but there are wonderful variations you might want to investigate to see what is the best fit for your school/students. 

4th Grade Weaving

 We spent five class times on our weaving before moving onto new projects.  However, I've opened my room up when the first bell rings at 7:45am.  Students can stop in and weave for ten or so minutes in the morning before the second bell rings (I'm on the same hall as the 4th grade!).  I'm averaging about 10 to 15 students each morning.  I love seeing their excitement for weaving!  

Yarn Storage & Distribution

Some have messaged me and asked how I handle the "yarn situation" in my room.  How I do things is not THE way....it is just a way.  You need to figure out what works best for you in your situation.

Many years ago I asked our "carpentry team" (I'm not sure that department exists any more?) to build me some wall shelves in two places in my room.  One I keep supplies on that we use frequently and I need to be accessible to students.  The other is used for storing student art(I have baskets for each class). I purchased Sterilite shoeboxes and drilled a whole in one side(using sharp "adult" scissors...be gentle when you push it in...because sometimes the boxes crack).  If you are on a budget.. collect 2 liter bottles and cut the bottom off them & feed the string through the top.  You can hot glue them together to stabilize them. I teach the students to go up (2 at a time) and get their yarn as needed. They pull a wing span out (finger tip to finger tip arms wide opened) and cut the yarn at the lid below the box they are pulling from.  I have little issue with this...my students are respectful and do a good job(because they LOVE WEAVING!!!).  

My specialty yarn...I keep it in a 10 gal plastic box.  When we use the specialty yarn, I spread it out on my classroom counter top so they can see what I have available to them.  Once again, two students at a time are allowed to go up to get their yarn.  I have a cup with scissors next to the specialty yarn.  They are allowed to select one specialty yarn that they can use up to 4 times in their weaving (I tell them it isn't special if they use it a bunch! ha ha)

 

Tying Knots For Weaving

In general, students have lost the ability to tie knots.  Even the simple knot that most know from learning to tie their shoes(They don't really tie shoes much any more?!?). I use that one to start the radial/circle weaving.  I will say...this knot I'm about to show you is a bit different(but simple). I want my students to use this knot because it is easy, strong, and cuts down on wasted yarn. I put this video on repeat for my students during the class.  Yesterday...no one asked me how to do it...they just watched the video! Hope it helps you out!!

4th Grade Weavings

 Here are some of this year's 4th grade weavings.  I want to be honest with you....this was not my favorite year of weaving with the 4th graders.  Not because of the students or their work, but because of the looms.  I had ordered pre-notched looms, and I guess I typed in the wrong thing and did not notice.  I never...NEVER....get these thin looms.  I like to get the ones that are 9 inches wide.  I hate fussing with sending things back...so I decided I'd just use them.  I felt like I had more issues with the smaller looms.  One of which was it seemed much easier to hour class & it was more noticeable. If you like them...GREAT!  For me though...I'll be ordering the 9 inch wide next year!!!!  

Art With Mr.E: Starting a Circle Weaving Part 1

Come weave with me! Here is the being steps for how to do a circle weaving. The video will take you through the process, but I will also have written directions and pictures to help you out as much as possible. Once you get it...you won’t want to stop! Please feel free to comment or contact me if you have any questions.

SUPPLIES:  paper plate or cardboard cut in a circle, 

pencil, scissors, yarn, and tape

VOCABULARY: loom- the structure you weave on (the plate/cardboard in this case),  warp- the string you weave through, weft- the string you weave with

On the back of your circle, make 11 marks evenly spaced around the rim, and label them 1-11. Try your best to have them an equal distance apart. 

Next you will “warp” your “loom”. You will want to have just a small tail of yarn hanging on the back at the 1 spot.  The majority of your yarn for the warp will be on the front of the circle. Follow the formula below to finish warping your loom. 

Here is the "formula" for warping your loom!

1 to 6 (across the loom)

6 to 7(hello neighbor)

7 to 2(across the loom)

2 to 3(hello neighbor)

3 to 8(across the loom)

8 to 9(hello neighbor)

9 to 4(across the loom)

4 to 5(hello neighbor)

5 to 10(across the loom)

10 to 11(hello neighbor)

11 to 5

(the number 5 will have to strings sharing the space) 

After you have warped your loom, tape down the ends on the back so they do not come out of their spots.

Feed your “weft“ string underneath the warp strings from the 3ish to the 9ish place. You want to capture all the warp strings in the middle with the smallest knot possible. Cut off the small “extra” piece of string from your knot....but be careful to not cut the knot or any warp strings. 

NOW TO START THE ACTUAL WEAVING

Begin by going around the circle (I go counter clock wise..not sure why?).  OVER UNDER OVER UNDER. I will go over/under about half of the stings and then pull my yarn all the way through.  If you do not do this...it can get tangled up, and cause some problems for you.

At the end of each string tie the new one to the old one. You can trim the "bunny ears" off at the end.   Tying knots & double(triple..or more) jumping is the biggest problem young artists have once they get started.  They just have to make sure to go over or under each of the warp strings...they can not go over over..or under under.  

To finish the weavings, artists can create a pattern in pencil on the rest of the plate(the background...not the back) & then use the same color of markers (as their yarn) to color their pattern.  

I WILL MAKE A PART 2 TO CIRCLE WEAVING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL ARE "GETTING IT"! 

The finished product can look something like this! 

Circle Weavings: 3rd Grade

Hey gang!!  I know I post circle weavings every year...but I never get tired of them! Plus...this year I feel they "LOOK" very different.  We studied African art second nine weeks...patterns/colors/meaning/traditions.  Their weavings were influenced by that study.  

FOR CIRCLE WEAVING INSTRUCTIONS & OTHER EXAMPLES

CLICK THIS LINK!!!

http://www.artwithmre.com/2012/12/circle-weaving-step-by-step-guide-tips.html

Each class had a mandatory color of their choosing (from a list of traditional African colors) & black. They were then allowed to select 3 other colors.  I was not concerned with a set pattern to their yarn colors...just that they would use the same colors over and over.  The background was later colored using the colors(or as close as they could find) that they used in yarn  I feel this year the background were so much more dynamic! 

UFO?!?!?!

UFO??!?!?

Kind of....

UNPROVOKED. FREELY (CREATED). OBJECT (OF ART AWESOMENESS)

One of my forth graders came up to me during hall duty this morning and said..."Mr. E...I have something to show you!  I made it this summer!"  I could tell he was so excited to share it with me.  He pulled out of his backpack this double sided circle weaving.  ISN'T IT AMAZING?!?!  WOW!!!  He really got into circle weaving in 3rd grade...and I believe made one or two at home before the end of the school year.  I love seeing my students excited about creating!!  What a great way to start my day!!